TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
The Headline
NASA study reveals new information about the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body
The Grind
In 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly arrived at the International Space Station. When he returned 340 years later, he broke the record for the longest consecutive off-world journey by a human astronaut.
Kelly's journey was part of a massive NASA experiment designed to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body. While he was at the ISS, Scott underwent a number of biomedical studies, provided blood and urine samples, and received vaccines.
Scott's identical twin brother Mark (also an astronaut) went through the same lab tests on Earth.
According to a NASA press release, scientists observed "thousands and thousands of changes at the molecular and genetic level."
The Grind
Perhaps the most crucial discovery was the success of the flu vaccine in space. Scott's immune system responded to the vaccine in exactly the same way Mark's immune system responded.
Flu vaccines and other preventative measures will be necessary during NASA's planned expedition to Mars by 2035. The roundtrip journey to the Red Planet is expected to take up to 913 days.
Other changes observed during Scott's journey:
--Changes in gene expression and immune system response
-- Changes in how DNA is packaged
-- Changes in gut microbiome
-- Temporary increase in height
-- Better performance on cognitive tests
-- Thickening of the retina
The most unexpected discovery was the effect of spaceflight on Scott's telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes that shorten with age). Scott's telomeres grew longer in space and then shortened back to normal averages when he returned to Earth.
All other changes Scott experienced in space appear to have reversed when he returned; but as noted in NASA's official report, an estimated seven percent of the changes in Scott's genes persisted for six months after he arrived on Earth.
"The Twins Study provides the first integrated bimolecular view into how the human body responds to the spaceflight environment and serves as a genomic stepping stone to better understand how to maintain crew health during human expeditions to the Moon and Mars," wrote NASA.
"The vision of the future would be to look at the entire genetic code, all the molecular structures and changes in an individual, and then customize what he or she will need for long-term missions."
The results of the Twins Study were published April 12th, 2019 in the journal Science.
dtucker300 wrote:
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
The Headline
NASA study reveals new information about the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body
The Grind
In 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly arrived at the International Space Station. When he returned 340 years later, he broke the record for the longest consecutive off-world journey by a human astronaut.
Kelly's journey was part of a massive NASA experiment designed to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body. While he was at the ISS, Scott underwent a number of biomedical studies, provided blood and urine samples, and received vaccines.
Scott's identical twin brother Mark (also an astronaut) went through the same lab tests on Earth.
According to a NASA press release, scientists observed "thousands and thousands of changes at the molecular and genetic level."
The Grind
Perhaps the most crucial discovery was the success of the flu vaccine in space. Scott's immune system responded to the vaccine in exactly the same way Mark's immune system responded.
Flu vaccines and other preventative measures will be necessary during NASA's planned expedition to Mars by 2035. The roundtrip journey to the Red Planet is expected to take up to 913 days.
Other changes observed during Scott's journey:
--Changes in gene expression and immune system response
-- Changes in how DNA is packaged
-- Changes in gut microbiome
-- Temporary increase in height
-- Better performance on cognitive tests
-- Thickening of the retina
The most unexpected discovery was the effect of spaceflight on Scott's telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes that shorten with age). Scott's telomeres grew longer in space and then shortened back to normal averages when he returned to Earth.
All other changes Scott experienced in space appear to have reversed when he returned; but as noted in NASA's official report, an estimated seven percent of the changes in Scott's genes persisted for six months after he arrived on Earth.
"The Twins Study provides the first integrated bimolecular view into how the human body responds to the spaceflight environment and serves as a genomic stepping stone to better understand how to maintain crew health during human expeditions to the Moon and Mars," wrote NASA.
"The vision of the future would be to look at the entire genetic code, all the molecular structures and changes in an individual, and then customize what he or she will need for long-term missions."
The results of the Twins Study were published April 12th, 2019 in the journal Science.
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND br br The Headline br br ... (
show quote)
Interesting post tucker.. my own twins are in a study, to this day, they are over 40...
i had read a little about the comparison, but not seen the detail that you included..
Thanks..
dtucker300 wrote:
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
The Headline
NASA study reveals new information about the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body
The Grind
In 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly arrived at the International Space Station. When he returned 340 years later, he broke the record for the longest consecutive off-world journey by a human astronaut.
Kelly's journey was part of a massive NASA experiment designed to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body. While he was at the ISS, Scott underwent a number of biomedical studies, provided blood and urine samples, and received vaccines.
Scott's identical twin brother Mark (also an astronaut) went through the same lab tests on Earth.
According to a NASA press release, scientists observed "thousands and thousands of changes at the molecular and genetic level."
The Grind
Perhaps the most crucial discovery was the success of the flu vaccine in space. Scott's immune system responded to the vaccine in exactly the same way Mark's immune system responded.
Flu vaccines and other preventative measures will be necessary during NASA's planned expedition to Mars by 2035. The roundtrip journey to the Red Planet is expected to take up to 913 days.
Other changes observed during Scott's journey:
--Changes in gene expression and immune system response
-- Changes in how DNA is packaged
-- Changes in gut microbiome
-- Temporary increase in height
-- Better performance on cognitive tests
-- Thickening of the retina
The most unexpected discovery was the effect of spaceflight on Scott's telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes that shorten with age). Scott's telomeres grew longer in space and then shortened back to normal averages when he returned to Earth.
All other changes Scott experienced in space appear to have reversed when he returned; but as noted in NASA's official report, an estimated seven percent of the changes in Scott's genes persisted for six months after he arrived on Earth.
"The Twins Study provides the first integrated bimolecular view into how the human body responds to the spaceflight environment and serves as a genomic stepping stone to better understand how to maintain crew health during human expeditions to the Moon and Mars," wrote NASA.
"The vision of the future would be to look at the entire genetic code, all the molecular structures and changes in an individual, and then customize what he or she will need for long-term missions."
The results of the Twins Study were published April 12th, 2019 in the journal Science.
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND br br The Headline br br ... (
show quote)
Was this done in the Old Testament days? Because according to your article Scott Kelly was in space for 340 years which if this was done to day would make him the oldest living human in modern times. And his twin brother must also be as old since they were going comparative studies on the two. So by this story if you want to live a long life go out in space you can live past 340 years and it helps your twin brother do as well here on earth space travel is truly interesting.
bahmer wrote:
Was this done in the Old Testament days? Because according to your article Scott Kelly was in space for 340 years which if this was done to day would make him the oldest living human in modern times. And his twin brother must also be as old since they were going comparative studies on the two. So by this story if you want to live a long life go out in space you can live past 340 years and it helps your twin brother do as well here on earth space travel is truly interesting.
Was this done in the Old Testament days? Because a... (
show quote)
Funny! Yeah, we know that's a typo and meant 340 days.
I guess next will be to get a set of twins pregnant, one in space and one on earth for comparisons.
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